Hawaii senators propose $500M stimulus plan, Native Hawaiians taking federal recogition into their own hands, teachers, governor strike deal, REAL ID coming to Hawaii, Maui seeks new buoys, Kauai mourns broadcaster Dahle, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian protest (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

Frustrated with a 10-year congressional fight to obtain federal recognition and form a nation-within-a-nation government, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs has decided to follow a path that has led several American Indian tribes to success. Civil Beat.

State senators, looking to stimulate job creation and help lift the construction industry out of the doldrums, want to aggressively pursue as much as $500 million in bond-financed construction projects at public schools, hospitals and state buildings. Star-Advertiser.

Now that the Hawaii Supreme Court has sent the state Reapportionment Commission back to the drawing board, former state Sen. Lorraine Inouye is positioning herself to run for what is likely to become the island's fourth Senate seat. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii's congressional candidates want your money, but most of them won't tell you exactly when and where they're asking for it. Civil Beat.

In less than two months, all Hawaii residents who are applying for or renewing a driver's license must bring documents that establish their legal presence in the state. Tribune-Herald.

The 2010 census showed Filipinos have overtaken Japanese as the second largest ethnic group in Hawai’i, behind Caucasians. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii's tourism officials are supporting federal legislation that could increase the number of Chinese and Canadian visitors to the U.S. Hawaii News Now.

The State of Hawaii and the Hawaii State Teachers Association have reached a tentative agreement Friday, ending a dispute that threatened federal funding for Hawaii's schools and spurred legal action from the teacher's union. KITV4.

Lynn Heirakuji has stepped in as the vice-chair of the Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness, filling a seat vacated on Friday by Marc Alexander the former state coordinator on the homeless. Pacific Business News.

Hawaiian monk seal deaths are coming as the federal government steps up its efforts to protect the seals, leading to simmering resentment among some fishermen who fear new regulations will trample upon their right to fish. Associated Press.

Some positive economic numbers from the state's largest bank show an overall increase in business spending from last year. KITV4.

State roundup for January 9. Associated Press.

Oahu

In a curious postscript to a high-profile city contracting dispute, state records show that two of the three companies vying for a contract to produce rail cars for the Honolulu rail project responded to a request for proposals before the companies were licensed as Hawaii contractors. Star-Advertiser.

A handful of teachers in Hawaii are using a new service that allows them to blast a text message to parents, who can then text back. Star-Advertiser.

Occupy Honolulu Asked Mayor for Immunity From Sidewalk Belongings Ban. Civil Beat.

A University of Hawaii research vessel that called for Coast Guard assistance when it began taking on water some 60 miles off Oahu returned safely to port Saturday. Hawaii News Now.

More than 6,000 farmers and ranchers from across the nation are in Honolulu for the annual American Farm Bureau Federation meeting at the Hawaii Convention Center. KHON2.

Hawaii

Some Kohala residents attempted to light a fire under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to request funding and implement an action plan that solves the silt and sedimentation problems inside Pelekane Bay. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Electric Light Co. said Friday that it hopes to add up to 50 megawatts of geothermal energy on the Big Island. Pacific Business News.

Improper chemical storage has caused safety and health threats at Big Island schools, say local hazardous waste experts seeking to increase awareness of the dangers. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Ocean safety advocates are renewing calls for the state to replace missing swim-zone buoys off Kaanapali, saying the recent death of a man at Canoe Beach shows the increasing danger of collisions between boats and swimmers. Maui News.

A Hana-based spiritual center could expand to receive overnight guests, under a proposal that received the support of the Maui County Council's Land Use Committee on Wednesday. Maui News.

Supporters were ecstatic last Thursday when the Maui County Council members voted unanimously to ban alcohol at Kalama Park and Cove Park in Kihei. Maui Now.

Kauai

Veteran Kaua‘i broadcast journalist William Gordon “Bill” Dahle, who was called “the Walter Cronkite of radio news” on the island, died at his home in Kalaheo Saturday. Garden Island.